Signaling box



Oct. 8, .1929. F. B. PHLBRcK T AL 1,730,683

SIGNALING BOX Filed Sept. 16, 1927 INVENTOR freder'ckfl Pllrclr frederic A. Raymond na m,

ATTORNEY station or box.

Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE FREDERICK B. PHILBRICK, OF NEEDHAM, AND FREDERIC A. RAYMOND, OF NEWTON I CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO THE GAMEWELL COMPANY, OF NEW- TON UPPER FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS SIGNALING :BOX

This invention relates to signaling systems and more particularly to signaling mechanism contaned within a casing and forming what is commonly termed a signaling One object of the invention is to provide a signalin station presenting an externally availab e signal-actuating member with signaling mechanism, the latter adapted when actuated to be held in signaling relation against any external interference and to present externally Visible evidence of its active signaling position, there being associated with the station suitable unlocking means permitting only the authorized restoration of the signaling mechanism to its normal position;

The invention is herein illustrated in its application to signaling systems of the auxiliary fire alarm type where a main-line, codesignal transmitting mechanism is arranged for response to actuation of one or more stations connected on an auxiliary circuit or loop. In such cases it is common to provide an auxiliary loop in shunt to a main line magnet through which may be efiected actuation of amaster box or signal-transmitting mechanism in the main circuit, the act of breaking the shunt loop at one of the auxiliary Stations serving to divert the main line current from the auxiliary loop to efi'ect energization of the magnet and thus causing the tripping of the code-signal mechanism at the main line master box.

Master boxes of the shunt type, commonly used in municipal fire alarm circuits, are of the non-interfering and succession type, such that, during the transmission of the signal,

the circuit stands open substantially throughout all intervals between signal impulses, the code signal comprising a plurality of circuit closures of comparatively brief and uniform duration. Since the tripping of the master or main-line box is dependent upon the flow of current in the main-linesignaling circuit, if an auxiliary station controlling the shunt around the magnet of a master box should be operated to break the auxiliary shunt circuit during an open circuit period of the signal in the course of transmission from some other previously tripped main-line box and the auxiliary station should thereafter close the auxiliary shunt circuit around such magnet before the main line circuit is again closed at the previously started box, the operation of such auxiliary station would fail to ause the tripping of its associated master It is therefore desirablethat means should be provided whereby the signaling mechani sm at the auxiliary station may be retained in its active signaling condition, when once operated for a length of time at least suflicient to secure the tripping of its associated master box upon the next closure of any signal which may be in the course of transmission at the time such auxiliary'station is operated.

It is also desirable in many situations, as, for example, in large institutions, ofiice buildings or the like, in which a number of auxiliary transmitting Stations are connected on the same auxiliary line, that it shall be possible to ascertain directly from the appearance of the'station which one of the Stations on the auxiliary line has been actuated to cause the tripping of the master box.

While this invention may have useful application to signaling systems other than the specific one instanced, an embodment of our invention is herein shown for illustratve purposes in the :form of a signalng box adapted particularly for auxilary fire-alarm service, wheren the tripping member of the signaling device is automatically locked or held in tripped or active positon whenever it has been subjected to functional actuaton to cause the' tripping of the master box, the Construction being such that the signalng device cannot be restored to normal condition except through the use of a specalkey or release device held by some authorized person, and also such that the locked posltion of the tripping device itself serves as an indication of the actuation of the box.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation illustrating one embodiment of the invention, the section being taken through the handle of non-signaling position, the looking mechanism on the inside of the outer Wall of the box having been unlocked to permit the restoration of the handle to its non-signaling position;

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, taken' through the signaling box showing the tripping device and the locking mechanism; and

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing the tripping device locked up in its active 01' signaling position.

Beferring to the drawings and to the illustrative embodiment of the invention there shown, a signaling station for an auxiliary line station is illustrated, the same compr1s-` ing a casing with top, bottom and side walls entirely enclosing and rendering inaccessible the signaling and locking devices within, there being shown in the drawings, however, only the rear wall 5, front wall 7 and one of the side walls 9 of the containing casing.

The signal-transmitting device compriscs the hinged knife-switch 11 secured to the tripping handle 13 and adapted normally in its inactive or non-signaling position (full line position in Fig. 2) to close the auxiliary loop through the stationary Contacts 15 and 17, the 'letter being mounted on the insulating base 19 Secured to the rear wall 5 of the casing. The tripping handle 13 is of such length as to protrude through an opening in the front wall 7 of the casing and is of such size and shape -as to be externallv available for its manual depression to eifect functional actuation which, with the arrangement of parts as shown, will open the switch and break the auxiliary loop. The opening is in the form of a vertical slot 21 through which the handle extends with a slight clearance, the slot being of sufiicient length to permit the depression of the trip handle from the full line, non-signaling position shown in Fig. 2 to the dotted line or signaling position also there shown.

To assure the retention of the handle in its tripped position and the subsequent tripping of the main-line master box in case the tripping handle 13 is m`oved coincident with the transmission of a main line signal from some other main-line box, automatic latching mechanism is provided. This comprises a latch 23 pivoted at 25 on the inside of the outer wall of the box and the latch having a hook-shaped end, the tip of which bears against the side of the tripping level' when the latter is in its raised position, being pressed thereagainst by a coiled spring 27. The spring has one end abutting against a pin 29 which protrudes inwardly from the wall 7 and also serves to limit the outward movement of the latch 23. The opposite end of the spring bears against the face of the small fianged looking plate 31 formed on and cxtending outwardly from the latch 23.

In case the tripping handle 13 is depressed to cause the transmission of a signal through the trippino of the masterbox, the hooked end of the latch 23, under the action of the spring 27, snaps over the tripping handle and serves to hold it in depressed tripped position, the parts assuming the position shown in Fig. 3.

To lock the latch in its holding position, there is provided a pivoted looking dog 33 which overlies the plate 31. The underface of the dog 33 has the recess 35 formed therein and is so shaped that, when the latch 23 is normally positioned (as shown in Fig. 1), it bears upon the upper edge of the looking plate 31, but when the latch moves to the position which brings said plate into alignment' With saidrecess (as shown inFig. 3) gravity, which may be assisted by a spring (not shown), will cause the dog to drop over the plate, so that the upper edge of said plate will be situated within said recess 35. This .locks the latch in its holding position unt-il such time as the dog may thereafter be lifted' and freed from the flanged locking plate 31.

It will be observed that, when the tripping handle is depressed, its position gives visible, external evidence of the active position of. the signal transmitting device so that the auxiliary station from which the signal has been sent can be immediately detected. ln this position, however, the tripping handle is definitely locked against any unauthorized, outside manipulation, the depressed position of the handle preventing access to the looking dog 33 through the slot 21, so that when the handle is depressed such access to the parts as is necessary to lift the dog 33 and' release the latch is impossible except through the use of an authorized release key.

To provide for the authorized release of the handle, the wall 7 is provided with a keyhole 37 through which there may be inserted a key 39, the web 41 of which is so shaped as to first engage the underside of' the looking dog, between its pivot and the recess 35, to lift the same free from the looking plate 31, and then, by further movement, toengage the plate 31 and force the latch'back against the stop pin 29, whereupon the handle 13 may be again raised to its normal position and the device restored to its inactive or non-signaling position.

For illustrative purposes, a simple form of key is heroin shown, but it is obvious that an unlocking device of more intricate and complicated mechanism may be employed if desired, it only being necessary that the catch may be lifted and the latch thrown back only by some form of authorized key.

While we have herein shown and described for the purposes of illustration one specific embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that extensive deviations may be made I from the illustratve embodiment of the invention and from the number, form and relative arrangement of the parts herein shown, all Without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims 1. A signaling box for a signaling system comprising an enclosing casing containing signaling means, an actuating handle protruding through an opening in the casing presenting an externally accessible end movable across said opening from a non-signaling to a signaling position, a pivoted latch within the casing having its end normally hearing against the side of the handle but adapted 'to move autonatically across the portion of said opening which is occupied by said handle When in its non-signaling position to overlie and hold said handle when in its signaling position, a spring to move the latch to its holding position. and an externally inaccessible pivoted looking dog to automatically engage and lock the latch When moved to its holding position, the casing having a keyhole through which the latch may be unlocked and moved from its holding position by the use of an authorized key to permit the handle to be restorecl to its non-signaling position; the formation and arrangement of said latch and of said dog, relative to one another. to said key hole and to said opening, such that any key inserted in said key hole will be effective to position said latch to permit restoration of said handle only in the event that such key is so formed that, When rotated after insertion in said key hole, it Will move said dog to disengage same from said latch before acting to withdraw said latch from the path of said handle.

2. A signaling box for a signaling system comprising an enclosing casing containing signaling means, an actuating handle protruding through an opening in the casing presenting an externally accessible end movable 'across said opening from a non-signaling to a signaling position, a pivoted latch within the easing having its end normally hearing against the side of the handle and biased to move across the portion of said opening which is occupied by said handle When in its nonsignaling position to ovcrlie and hold said handle When in its si gnaling position, and an externally inaccessible pivoted looking dog to automatically engagc and lock the latch When moved to its holding position, the easing hav ing a key hole through which the latch may be unlocked and noved from its holding posi tion by the use of an authorized key to permit the handle to be restored to its non-signaling position; the formation and arrangement of said latch and of said dog, relative to one another. to said key hole and to said opening, such that any key inserted in said key hole Will be effective to position said latch to per mit restoration of said handle only in the event that such key is so formed that, When rotated after insertion in said key hole, it Will move said dog to disengage same from said k latch before acting to Withdraw said latch from the path of said handle.

In Witness whereoflwe hereunto subscribe 

